Since taking office, President Trump has used or threatened to use the pardon to aid powerful individuals with political connections—some of whom have defended their actions and openly belittled the legal system—and to deal symbolic blows to political opponents.

In response to Nicaraguan authorities increasingly targeting peaceful protestors and human rights activists with intimidation and violent attacks, including the arrest this week of six members of the Comisión Permanente de Derechos Humanos, Freedom House issued a statement.

Following Russian authorities’ arrest of a prominent Crimean Tatar human rights figure, Server Mustafayev, as part of an intensifying crackdown against minority groups in the Crimean peninsula, Freedom House issued a statement.

As Venezuela prepares for a presidential election on Sunday, an election in which potential opposition candidates are either jailed or prohibited from competing, and with an electoral system manipulated to favor the incumbent, making President Nicolas Maduro almost certain to win by default, Freedom House issued a statement.